How To Get Rid Of Those Annoying Arm Bumps - Keratosis Pilaris

When I was a teenager I was always plagued with those annoying red bumps on the backs of my arms. It looked like I had chicken skin! No matter what I did, nothing seemed to help! As I’ve aged, the problem has largely disappeared, but lately I’ve noticed the same tiny, pimple-like bumps on my teenage son’s arms.

That’s because, as I recently discovered, the root cause of this condition (known as Keratosis Pilaris) is genetics, and it tends to be more common in children and adolescents. However, KP also affects adults, too.

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

So what exactly is keratosis pilaris? Keratin, a protein in the skin, builds up and forms hard plugs within the hair follicles causing what looks like mild acne.

Who Gets Keratosis Pilaris?

Unfortunately, anyone can end up getting keratosis pilaris, even if you aren’t genetically inclined for it. Up to 50 percent of the population are inherently programmed to overproduce keratin, which leads to these small red bumps all over your body.

What Causes Keratosis Pilaris?

Besides genetics, dryness tends to make KP worse, which is why you’ll notice it more in the summer, when sun and salt water dehydrate skin, and in the winter, when humidity is low. The condition can also flare up when hormones fluctuate – like during pregnancy or your period.

While KP may not be curable, it is medically harmless. Nevertheless, KP is very annoying (trust me on this!) so I have put together some strategies to help smooth away the bumps.

How To Get Rid Of Keratosis Pilaris?

Gentle Cleansing

Try cleansing your “chicken skin” to get the bumps to disappear. Keep bath water lukewarm, and limit exposure to 10 minutes or less. Avoid soaps with harsh lathering agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Stick to gentle cleansers that contain soothing ingredients like aloe vera.

Exfoliate The Right Way

Scrubbing rarely smooths your bumps and often exacerbates redness. Instead, apply a cream with a chemical exfoliant, such as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), at least once a day. Acne body washes containing AHA also help to exfoliate the abnormally accumulated keratin.

Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

To instantly make bumps look and feel better, use a deeply hydrating moisturizer. Apply on rough spots right after bathing when skin is still damp to seal the moisture in. This will definitely help soften the feel and look of pimple-like bumps, though keep in mind that it won’t help prevent the condition from forming if you’re genetically prone.

Humidify

Using a home humidifier when the humidity is low can help prevent keratosis pilaris bumps from getting worse in the winter.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A contains retinol which promotes cell turnover and prevents the plugging of the hair follicles.

Break open a Vitamin A capsule, squeeze the oil from it, and apply it on the skin directly. Massage it gently for few minutes and then leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes. Repeat the process regularly.

Over-the-counter retinols (up to 1%) are another option. A tiny dab every other night on the bumps on your legs or arms is more than adequate.

Essential Oils

Put 2 drops of Tea Tree essential oil in 10 drops of fractionated coconut oil and massage onto affected skin. Tea Tree cleanses and purifies skin and helps promote a clear, healthy complexion.

Coconut Oil

The lauric acid found in coconut oil is an antibacterial agent that helps to reduce inflammation and improve the skin’s texture. Apply a dime-sized amount onto areas of your skin that are red and bumpy daily.